Hoppel helps lift Lady Dawgs over Odessa

Jonathan HullMidland Reporter-Telegram

Published 10:00 am, Friday, March 18, 2011

The Midland High softball team isn't exactly blessed with a wealth of varsity experience. So when Kelsey Hoppel decided a couple weeks ago she wanted to spend the last part of her senior year at Midland High on the softball field, Lady Bulldogs coach Shawnda Vines welcomed her with open arms.

Hoppel's presence proved to be a calming one on Thursday as she guided the Lady Dawgs to a 3-2 victory against No. 19 Odessa High in a District 3-5A game at Audrey Gill Sports Complex.

Hoppel, who didn't play her junior year, took over in the pitching circle with two outs and two runners in scoring position in the third inning. After allowing an initial walk to load the bases and then seeing a fielding error allow two unearned runs score, Hoppel silenced the OHS bats.

The senior retired 12 of the last 14 batters she faced, allowing only two base runners on a hit and an error in the game's final four innings.

"I knew I had to pick up our team," Hoppel said. "I just went in to do what I do and pitch my hardest all the time. I had a good catcher, too. She calls my pitches and I have to give her props for that."

On a roster made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores, Hoppel's varsity experience is going to be pivotal for the Lady Dawgs (10-12, 2-2 in District 3-5A) in a tight district race.

"This is a big win for us because we had to bounce back quickly from Tuesday's loss to Lee," Vines said. "Everybody is in the thick of everything in the district right now. Kelsey brings a calming effect and she comes in with so much varsity experience, I think our younger players have more confidence with her on the field."

Hoppel was also one of the Lady Dawgs' top hitters on Thursday, playing the role of catalyst in the first and third innings. In the opening frame, she led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Vines and scored when Val Sisneros hit a two-out single to center.

Following the two unearned runs the Lady Bronchos (12-10, 2-2) scored in the top of the third to take a 2-1 advantage, Hoppel led off the bottom half of the inning with a single to right, stole second, moved up to third on a single by Vines and finally tied the game, 2-2, courtesy of a fielder's choice ball hit by Naomi Posada.

Vines then gave the Lady Dawgs the lead for good when she scored from third while Odessa High was preoccupied with turning a double play.

The Lady Dawgs ended up with 10 hits -- all singles -- with Hoppel, Sisneros and Stefani Baeza each recording two apiece.

Kristin Dees took the loss for the Lady Bronchos, pitching a complete game and allowing three earned runs on 10 hits and no walks.